Sankhu to Nagarkot hike

Nagarkot makes for a popular weekend getaway destination where you can embark on an exciting outdoor adventure taking in the pleasures of Nepal’s natural beauty.

Although the hike from Sankhu to Nagarkot is short, it will leave you exhausted as the elevation gain is close to 2789ft with a loss of only 984ft. Get an early start to make the bumpy 10.6mi bus ride from Kathmandu to Sankhu.

Upon arriving at Sankhu Bus Park, head east for 1378ft along the paved road until you reach the fork in the trail at Dhalanko. Continue straight, avoiding any turns, and trek along the dirt road through small villages.

Notice the Panchmeshwori Temple at the side of the Salinadi River. This temple is visited by many Hindu pilgrims that comefor the month-long Swasthani Bratha Katha festival. The stretch following the temple is fairly easy as it winds its way amid small settlements with friendly locals smiling and waving as you pass them by.

After the 1.2mi mark, the trail gradually climbs. Take frequent breaks and be sure to hydrate to protect yourself from the scorching heat.

By this point, the villages start to dwindle, and the treeline appears before its time to follow the trail through the thick forest.

After walking the tree-lined single track for 1.5mi over a 820ft incline, you’ll reach Kartike Bhanjyang. Keep on following the trail and ascend the steep path—the final section of the trail has about a 984ft to climb to Nagarkot. There’s also the option to pick up the Nagarkot Eco-Trail after walking 2461ft from Kartike Bhanjyang. You know you’re in Nagarkot when you start to see concrete buildings and large communities.

Once in Nagarkot, choose from a variety of restaurants, from high-end to simple. Do Make a point to try dal bhat for an authentic Nepali dish. After lunch, hike up to the Nagarkot viewpoint which is about 2.4mi south of the Nagarkot Bus Stop.

Stay the night in Nagarkot and catch a beautiful sunrise the next morning, or you can opt to take the bus back to Kathmandu. There are a lot of accommodation options in Nagarkot, so you won’t have a problem finding a suitable place to sleep.